While I do find applying the term “consensual” to any type of learning experience as somewhat off-putting, I think Paul’s post is rather important.
Consensual learning is a matter of trust.
Do we trust our students enough to know what they need? Do we trust our students enough to make their own learning choices? Do we trust our students enough to follow the models we set for them?
If the answer is no, then we can’t hope for consensual learning.
I’m so glad that you are pushing us to think about the ways in which we can “move” kids. I just wonder if we trust kids enough to do that movement, to model the way forward. I question this because I’m not sure we trust ourselves enough to “do something epic” or “get our hands dirty” with kids. If we do not trust that we can truly be models for kids in a modern world (with all of its hyper-connectedness and bias toward rapid change), we will never move anyone.
